Southern Spirits May Booze News

GESSAMI GRAMONA: Just in time for the heat, a Spanish white to the rescue! When you need something to liven up your lunch or party, a Spanish white is almost always a great decision!

ESPORAO: A lovely red blend from Portugal. Portugal is famous for Port but they know how to make great still wines as well. They have to get by on their quality, so they tend to be great values at any price point.

What a perfect tasting for this warm weekend! We welcome back the always lovely Valerie to pour for us. These guys make great vodka, and they make great flavored vodka. Also, there new Orange flavor is like a screwdriver in a bottle! Then of course there is the exemplary Ruby Red, which has been one of the few reasons I never totally lost my mind during these warm Carolina summers.

Look folks we won an award again because it is just hard to deny our excellence, especially since when anyone tries I put my fingers in my ears. We are always happy to receive any accolades because we all work very hard to be the best.

KEITH’S CABINET: WHAT KEITH IS DRINKING NOW

RON CARTAVIO XO: This rum is winning awards left and right, and rightfully so! It has won the Keith Haze award for being delicious and on my bedroom counter within arms reach, which is a very prestigious award. It may not be the World Spirits Competition but the lineup in my house is quite strong.

FOUR ROSES SINGLE BARREL: Each time I drink this, I remember my excellent trip to Kentucky, including a very informative tour at Four Roses which included meeting the distiller!

DEEP BLUE VODKA: So smooth, so easy to drink!

GREEN HAT GIN: This Gin from DC is one of my absolute favorites. I love the lemon notes that really come forward in a gin and tonic. Last week I made a martini with this gin and was quite happy with it.

THE SINGLETON 15 YR: Many of you have been enjoying the 12 year old so I felt it imperative to bring in the older brothers. Super smooth, and easy drinking, this could be your Oban 14 replacement for much less money.

THE SINGLETON 18YR: Let’s go up to the top of the mountain. Not very many 18 year old Single Malts for under a hundred bucks!

HAWTHORN’S GIN: Always on the lookout for affordable, quality anything, and so when I tried this, it was a no brainer. This is a classic British dry gin, that is perfect for Martini’s but can easily make a gin and tonic.

ORPHAN BARREL STUFF: We got a small shipment of 23, 20, and 15 in. It is just sitting on the tasting bar for anyone to purchase.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK (FROM THE KING, DAVID WONDRICH)

2 oz. brandy (I used Meukow)

Juice of 1/4 lemon (I used Nellies)

2 tsp. sugar (I used simple syrup)

A few drops of vanilla extract

Mix into shaker and serve in a pint glass full of crushed ice, add vanilla on top.